We all know the Far East is THE place in the world to buy fake Rolex watches, fake designer clothes and FAKE anything – but why is that so? Is it because of their cheaper manufacturing arm or could there be another, deep-seated reason?

Unfortunately, many western companies dealing with the Far East have learned to their cost that the region has a very different take on Intellectual Property  from people in the West. Confucius, the world-renowned great thinker in Chinese intellectual history, passed on a moral and ethical code that has long influenced the ways of that part of the world. He believed that ideas once in the public domain and belonged to everyone – so ideas written down belonged to humanity. So the Chinese have never grown up with the concept of copyright. In reality, IP wars can be argued to be the tussle between the intercultural dimension of Individualism and Communitarianism. Knowledge and ideas are seen as one’s own indivuidual property in the west. Not so in the East. So, cross-cultural differences exist.

 Having studied psychology for a little while, I was always quick at jumping in to argue that the ‘universal theory’ that I was being taught really was not universal  – I knew too much about cross-culture.  My exasperated teacher acknowledged the validity of my claims but explained I had to learn to walk before I could run and that we would (eventually) study the impact of culture.

However, in recent years, culturally oriented psychologists have sought to show that emotions are  “not the direct outcome of physiological or neurological mechanisms…[but] are always situated and embedded in specific cultural contexts. Accordingly, they are fully saturated with cultural meanings.”

One thing I didn’t learn back then and have been delighted to encounter is some research on the cross-cultural differences in the concept of happiness via Mind Hacks. So, are there cross-cultural differences in happiness? Apparently, yes. And the differences are all to do with cultural variations in the perception of the self.

For North Americans and Europeans, happiness tends to be defined in terms of personal achievement and happiness is best predicted by self-esteem. For East Asians, happiness tends to be defined in terms of interpersonal connectedness and happiness is best predicted by how well embedded the self is in a social network.

Again, as interculturalists, we are reminded of the Individualism-Collectivism dimension of culture. However, when talking about Collectivism and social harmony I somehow hadn’t managed to make this deep connection with happiness.

 The West has a strong belief in independence and autonomy of the self (Individualism). The self is believed to be the centre of thought, action and motivation and happiness is to be found in personal striving. “Happiness is likely to be constructed as personal achievement”.

For East Asian cultures, the self-in-relationship-with-others (Collectivism) is believed to be the locus of thought, action, and motivation. Individuals in these societies are highly motivated to adjust themselves to fit into pertinent social relations. Commitments to social roles, social obligations, and readiness to respond to social expectations are all manifestations of this socially oriented motivation for realizing an interdependent self. Happiness is to be found in  positive social realtionships and mutual sympathy. “Happiness is constructed as realisation of social harmony.”

The research concludes that emotions are  “are fully saturated with cultural meanings.”

Footnote: aim of research to re-evaluate the common understanding of emotions as biologically determined and therefore universal, regardless of where or by whom they are experienced. Particpants in the research were East Asians (represented by Filipino and Japanese participants) and European-Americans (represented by people living in the US). For more information on MindHacks the book by Tom Stafford and Matt Webb and blog. 

Having had a client whose blueprint for a very hush-hush new radar system was copied and manufactured by the potential customer they were in discussions with in the Far East , I’ve witnessed the problems connected with holding on to intellectual property rights. (See below two new books on the subject). That incident happened over ten years ago and still other similar battles are erupting all over the globe.

The scope of the problems surrounding intellectual property rights in our globalised world is vast – how far can copyright and patent-holders go in preventing others from taking their property? Intellectual property protection is not a field of bright lines and clear rules. And, the economic consequences of the dispute are also immense.

When working internationally, there are certain principles that are good to remember when things just don’t seem to be going right. The principle one is:

Don’t take things personally! This comes from personal experience…

What is Culture?

1. Culture is the heartware of a nation/race/culture; its soul and what makes it tick

2. Culture reflects widely shared assumptions and beliefs about life

3. Culture is so embedded that most people do not and cannot analyse it

4. Culture is what is ‘normal’ around here

5. Culture is learned from our superiors and role models

What is a nations culture? Many Governments and institutions around the world are engaged in a continual effort to preserve our heritage by restoring or maintaining ancient monuments and historic buildings. And, UNESCO’s programme aiming at the preservation and dissemination of valuable cultural heritages has been successful over the years in identifying and putting together some of the world’s most valuable archive holdings and library collections.

However, a nation’s cultural heritage often goes deeper than its physical ‘tangible’ manifestations. Each culture has its own ‘intangible cultural heritage’. But what is that?

According to UNESCO and the 2003 “Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage”, the intangible cultural heritage – or living heritage – is the mainspring of our cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continuing creativity.

The Convention states that the ICH is manifested, among others, in the following ways:

• Oral traditions and expressions including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
• Performing arts (such as traditional music, dance and theatre);
• Social practices, rituals and festive events;
• Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
• Traditional craftsmanship.

Anthropologists and interculturalists alike will express the importance of story-telling in relation to the embodiment of a culture. It’s good to know that UNESCO aims to help us be more aware of the importance of our intangible assets.

Those of us who work in the field of cross-cultural relations and intercultural communication have witnessed too often the negative impact of an overseas assignment on family life. Now, a recent international survey provides evidence that a lack of spouse or partner employment opportunities adversely affects global mobility of highly skilled international employees, adding weight to the argument that more consideration should be given to these employees’ family concerns.

Undoubetedly, the spouses and partners of internationally assigned staff tend to be highly educated, with diverse professional backgrounds and nationalities. However, as part of a foreign assignment, they soon become a much under-utilised talent pool.

One employer cautions: “In my experience most employers prefer to ignore spousal employment issues. However, from my personal observation how well a spouse settles is key in determining how an employee will perform. If spousal employment is important to that couple, then companies ignore it at their peril.”

The study suggests that there appears to be a clear link between working and positive feelings about a foreign assignment:

• Spouses who are working are more likely to report a positive impact on adjustment to the location than spouses who not working.
• Spouses who are working are more likely to report a positive impact on family relationships than spouses who not working
• Spouses who are working are more likely to report a positive impact on their willingness to complete the current assignment than spouses who are not working.
• Spouses who are working are more likely to report a positive impact on their willingness to go on a new assignment than those who are not working.

Importantly, spouses who are working are more likely to report a positive impact on their health or well-being than spouses who are not working. One unfortunate respondent explained:

“The implications of not working on my health (especially mental health) are so vast that I will never consider relocating to such a country. I was unemployed for 1 year when I came here… and that was the most miserable year in my entire life. I will not repeat that, and my husband stands by my decision.”

The report concludes that a few focused and simple improvements on the part of employers and governments can make a triple win for families, employers and the countries in which they work. It seems, therefore, that supporting partner employment is part of supporting your own staff.

Footnote: The survey examined the views of 3300 expatriate spouses and partners of 122 nationalities, currently accompanying international employees working in 117 host countries for over 200 employers in both the private and public sector. It was undertaken by the Permits Foundation, based in The Hague and was sponsored by the Industrial Relations Counselors (IRC). Conducted during late 2008, it was published early 2009.

It’s long been known that previous research on western societies has shown how the body’s shape (the waist-to-hip ratio–WHR) relates to judgments of women’s attractiveness. Compared to “tubular” figures, “hourglass” figures tended to be judged more favourably in western societies. Perceived attractiveness between the sexes has now beeen established as “the result of the compatibility of biological sex and gendered cues”, that’s to say: masculinity and femininity as specified within the society.

According to a study cited in Science Daily, researchers suggest that if their model is applied to cultures with different definitions for the social roles of men and women, results will show cross-cultural differences in the particular combinations of body cues deemed attractive.

My own research undertaken by ‘straw poll’ amongst a few African communities when I  was working in Malawi a couple of years back brought about some amusing and interesting experiences. With much hilarity, the fellas unanimously voted for a “traditional” female body shape as being the most attractive. I soon got to learn that ‘traditional’ for ALL those communities with whom I mixed was their code for a woman with ample proportions and a good-sized backside. 

I think I’d better move continents!

Just to add emphasis that India really is one of the BRIC counties, Forbes, the prestigeous business publication, is now launching in India having teamed up with Network18, a leading Indian media group. Forbes India is the first Indian edition of any foreign news or business publication and is set to become the most influential business brand. So much so that it is expected to redefine in India how wealth creation will be understood, how business leaders will choose to lead, and even how business will be done. As someone working in INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION and INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES, I would certainly be interested in reading it!
In the inaugural issue, Forbes India features Lakshmi Mittal, the man who changed the face of the steel industry, and became the fourth richest man in the world. But now, for the first time in three decades, he faces his sternest test. The global slowdown has made his company post quarterly losses for the first time ever last year, and then another negative balance sheet in the next quarter. He’s not alone; the steel industry worldwide is going through a crisis. Everyone is looking to Mittal to show the way out.  The inaugural issue of Forbes India gives the most comprehensive look yet at this driven, determined man.

To further leverage its brand, a new half-hour weekly program entitled the Forbes India show will be aired on TV.  This will discuss opinions on issues and policies that impact the economy, and will also broadcast a wide array of business content ranging from leadership, economy and finance to international business and entrepreneurship.

Egypt is a major Arab country whose stability and evolution remains pivotal to the future of the Middle East. It is also an important economic force with the second largest market in the region (after Saudi Arabia) and the base for some of the region’s most innovative companies (the most successful telecoms operator, construction conglomerate, investment bank, and private-equity firm). It’s no wonder, then, that Egypt has fallen under the media spotlight; no less than coverage in ten issues in The Economist in 2009 alone; apart from the American and Arab coverage it has received.   

However, many argue that the coverage so far has tended to be reductionist missing some of Egypt’s most significant and dynamic trends. One such important trend is seen as a  pervasive Islamic force in the country. This description, used to describe the Muslim Brotherhood, more accurately defines the Salafist movements, according to Tarek Osman a writer on Egyptian affairs. It is he who argues that an appeal to Barack Obama to reinvigorate the United States’s democracy-promotion efforts in the Arab world is based on a flawed understanding both of political Islam and the real needs of the region’s people.

For an insightful view of the difference between the Muslim world, the Arab world and the Middle East read his article on the subject. As Osman emphasises: “The differences and distinctions matter: for their own sake, for proper understanding by outsiders, for policy that is intended to help not harm to be got right, and for the tragedies and enmities of past years to be overcome rather than repeated.”

And so it seems, the plethora of new media has put Egypt under the spotlight, but allows for too little close study and critical observation. Such hurried coverage risks failing to detect the real trends that are shaping tomorrow’s Egypt – and are not picking up “the differences and distinctions” that matter. As those who work in cross-cultural understanding and intercultural communication know – it’s the differences that make a difference.

Footnote: Salafists, who regard early pious Muslims and their communities as exemplary models, command major followings on the Egyptian “street”. They are not politically active, and that is why they are tolerated (and sometimes encouraged) by the regime; that is also why they do not feature in news-bulletins or reports on the country. Their influence, however, is many times more than that of organised political Islam.  Salafist thinking, which has been expanding and proliferating in Egypt for more than three decades, is based on a religious view of life; a strict and highly conservative social code; and inherently advances an Islamist foreign policy. The accumulating influence of this significant Salafist influence on Egyptian society could be to make many young Egyptians more anti-secular, anti-liberal, and anti-west. After three decades of domestic and foreign efforts to align the country with the United States and the west, including around $100 billion of American (and western) investment in and aid to Egypt, this outcome would be a colossal policy failure. The Salafi phenomenon receives far less attention than it deserves.